I’ve been getting a lot of posts in my social media accounts showing archaeology findings from the remote past. It really amazes me that previous civilizations went to so much trouble, in often isolated and awkward terrain (think Machu Pichu) to build structures that defy the imagination. There are rocks that seem cut to a precision we find hard to replicate even today with our technology. And huge stones, moved from sometimes miles away, as well as obelisks of extraordinary tonnage, lifted into position with presumably much difficulty.

          Will we ever really know how they did it, and why? The theories are diverse and often presumptuous. Conjecture is a deadly thing. It can lead to the general public learning opinions rather than truths. I often wonder if the ‘experts’ have got it all wrong, and some other discovery in the future will turn our ancient history on its head.

          After all – it isn’t an extreme possibility when you look at our own media of today. It is skewed to what the powers-that-be want us to believe. What is reported in one way in our country, is reported differently in another. It was probably no different in the past, I’m sure.

           We are all manipulated, subtly and not so subtly, guided into a way of thinking. The media plays games with the public.

          With all the chaos in our world, sometimes created by the media, always remember to do the best you can in your little sphere of existence. Let your loved ones and friends know that they are important to you. Always be kind – you never know what trauma someone else might be facing.

          Having said that – here’s a story I wrote about the games people (in this case children) play.

          The hieroglyphics on the crumpled paper must have meant something to someone.

          Carefully I flattened the paper on the old table behind me. The ragged edges were a warning to me to handle it with care. The writing appeared to be in ink; there were blotches above the top line. A careless spill perhaps. Or maybe the message had been written in haste. Some characters had faded, particularly those nearest the edges of the paper.

          “I think that means ‘regal’ or something,” Daniel pointed to the glyph of an eagle surrounded by a thickly drawn oval.

         “Could easily be seen as a caged bird,” I said with a shrug.

          Daniel snorted. “Yep, I suppose.” He continued, “This last one could be the rising or setting sun.”

          I stayed quiet as I focused on the problem.

          “How’re we ever going to work this out?” Dave whinged, as he squinted at the fragile scrap that we had found.

          I looked up. His hair was dusty under his hat and the scar on his chin stood out starkly against his grimy face.

          I giggled. “You look like Indiana Jones,” I said.

          He nodded. “That was the intention,” he grinned, “and you look like Cleopatra. But I didn’t know when I got dressed, that your Mum had decided to have a real treasure hunt for your birthday party!”

          I shrugged as I continued studying the puzzle.

          “Hang on,” I hesitated.

          Daniel raised his eyebrows. “What?”

          “Let’s read this with modern eyes.”

          He nodded as I concentrated.

          “I think … the oval and eagle is ‘bird cage’ and the sun,” I peered at the

hieroglyphs, “is followed by a faded up arrow.”

          “The rising sun?” Daniel murmured. “Perhaps that’s ‘East’?”

          “Good one!” I was thrilled; he basked in my praise.

          “Now I understand the message. It says – ‘Treasure found forty paces east of the bird cage’.”

          I grabbed Daniel’s hand. “Yay! Done it! Let’s go, Dan!”

          I dragged him out of the potting shed to the aviary on the other side of the garden.

          We were going to be the first back to Mum.

Use a nice soft baby yarn, and needles size 4mm.

Cast on 64 stitches, and rib 8 rows. If you want to, this can be done in a contrasting yarn – or not. Whatever you wish.

 change to 4.5mm needles and main colour yarn if you are using two colours.

 Now start stocking stitch (Knit one row, then purl one row – repeat). Stocking stitch 24 rows, finishing on a purl row.

Shape the top of the beanie thus:-

Row 1 : ‘knit 1 k2tog, knit 5’ – repeat (56 stitches)

Row 2,3 and 4 stocking stitch.

Row 5 : ‘k2tog k4’ repeat – finish row with k2 tog.(46 stitches)

Row 6 : purl

Row 7 : ‘K2tog’ repeat. (23 stitches)

Row 8 : ‘Purl 3 P2tog’ – repeat. P3 at end (19stitches)

Row 9 : ‘K1 K2tog’ – repeat. K1 at end. (13 stitches)

Row 10 : Purl

Cut the yarn and thread through the 13 stitches and pull tightly. Sew up the side seam.